Antiwar Protest in U.C. Berkeley

It sometimes takes just one picture, to get to know your own neighbour. Maybe someone here going for a DOW (disappointment of the week) Mr Eaton?

...if you can. We have an image of people protesting against war, and many comments from people who disagree with them.

What we are seeing demonstrated is one of the pillars of a democratic society - people disagreeing with one another. Under oppressive regimes, of which the Taleban was one, this was not tolerated. One set of people would, in all likelihood have been locked up or even executed.

But wait, execution is precisely what the advocates of bombing the students is saying! It's ironic that in supporting the bombing of the Taleban they have made a strong parallel with the regime they wish to crush.

I'm not trying to say that either side is right in the opinions it holds, rather that one side, in advocating violence, has drawn themselves much closer than they would like to something they hate. In doing so they are being as undemocratic and repressive as the Taleban.

Ironic, isn't it.

(Btw, I think the photograph is quite dull. But that seems to be neither here nor there.)

Check out his website, I believe it explains everything:

http://www.mindspring.com/~wseaton/me/me.htm

Apparently Mr. Eaton grew up watching too much porn.

Mr. Eaton,

The Us Census reports:

Number of Californians who are in the armed forces is 149,000, the most of any state in the nation.

82,000

Number of Navy and Marine Corps members serving at California military installations in 2001, the most of any one military branch in any state.

California has 2.6 million veterans.

Percentage of Alaska civilians 18 and over who are veterans, highest of any state in the country. Some other states where 15 percent or more of the adult civilian population are veterans: Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

None of which are anywhere in the eastern half of our country. So, if we were to secede, you'd be at quite a loss.

Bieng an American and a Californian, I do hope that the rest of the nations population aren't as tyrannical and murderous of it's citizens as you portray. To kill or exile anyone who may hold a view different than yours? Are you sure you're really American?

I think you may be way out of focus with the majority of your fellow Americans. Out west we see things differently (even outside of California). If the rest of the counrty feels as you do I'd gladly vote to secede. I'll keep my freedoms, you can have your oppression.

From looking though your portfolio I see you may live in Michigan? My husband (who is a deceased, decorated war vetran) was from there too. He would disagree with you and loved living in California. It's the state the military moved him too years ago and he never left.

Here's a joke I found somewhere... all of it is not really true but, funny.

In the Beginning

God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance." "Balance?" Inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land mass and said "What's that one?"

"Ah," said God. "That's California the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, deserts, streams, hills, and forests. The people from California are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!!!"

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I put in Sacramento."

...and here's a map of military bases in the continental US:

Everyone cares what I say. If they don't I will sic either PETA or the Christian Right on them.

This does look like a bunch of bored serial protesters with a commercially produced sign. (Union bug??) This is not to say no protester is sincere, or that our government is totally committed to the spread of democracy and freedom, or whatever. The issues raised by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are extremely complex, and should not be reduced to the level of signs and sound bites.

While I don't agree with Mr. Eaton's venemous tirade. I notice the exposure date was made very shortly after 9/11. Living close to NYC, the "event" hit very close to home and many knew a great deal of the victims.

The Berkely students were correct 40 years ago about Vietnam. But regarding Afghanistan? Bombs away. Screw 'em

California born and raised.